What is UMW?

Organizationally, United Methodist Women is the successor to the home and foreign missionary societies, the ladies’ aid societies, parsonage societies, and guilds of the seven predecessor denominations now comprising The United Methodist church. It is that group of women in each congregation committed to mission. Local units relate directly to district and conference organizations of United Methodist Women and to the Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries.

It’s PURPOSE is stated in The Book of Discipline;

“The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.”

Who is a member?

Any woman who commits herself to the PURPOSE and chooses to belong. She does not need to be a member of the United Methodist Church.

What is expected of a member?

Support for the program of the organization through prayers, financial contributions and acceptance of leadership responsibility.

How big is the organization?

Membership is approximately 800,000 worldwide. UMW is the largest laywoman’s organization of a major Protestant denomination in the U.S.A. Of the 24,000 local units, unit size varies from 6 to more than 600 members.

Is there a unit in every church?

The Book of Discipline says, “In every local church there shall be an organized unit of United Methodist Women”, but not all churches presently have one.

What is the scope of the program?

Programs in unit and subgroup meetings encompass mission education, spiritual growth and social action with a continuing focus on the needs of women, children and youth.

How is the organization financed?

Local units have budgets that are supported by individual pledges and gifts. Some units supplement their budgets by fund-raising activities. Each unit makes a Pledge to Mission that is sent to the district treaurer, and by her to the conference treasurer and then to the Women’s Division for worldwide ministies with women, children and youth. Each unit determines it’s budget and the amount of it’s Pledge to Mission , although conferences and districts may set goals for them. That Pledge and other undesignated money sent to the Women’s Division is sent to the national body & budgeted for ministries in the US and all around the world. International Ministries partners with approximately 20 other organizations in nearly 80 countries.

What does UMW here at 1st UMCBV do?

Our unit consists of 5 circles listed below. We have 4 combined meetings each year. Our funds are generated through 3 main projects each year: The “Bakeless” Bake Sale in the Spring, the Rummage Sale each August and the annual Bazaar in October. Along with the primary goal of missions, we also support our local church in a variety of ways. Some of the local missions we support are: Children’s Advocacy Center, Havenwood, Open Avenues, Restoration Village, Single ParentScholarship, Village House, NWA Women’s Shelter and many more.

Lord,
It’s a new year. A fresh beginning. A chance to start again.
Of course, we say the same thing almost every year and we too quickly seem to end up right back where we were almost every year. Which is why we need to start getting honest. Even if it means we see the truth about ourselves. Like the fact that we’re too busy making life about us and not about You.
And even if it means we see the truth about our church. Like the gut-wrenching reality that we grow smaller and older, struggle to reach the young, and fail to see lives, communities and the world transformed by the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are sorry, Lord. Truly sorry, Lord. Eternally sorry, Lord.
Speak the truth to us until we understand we are in a spiritual crisis because we don’t allow Jesus to be our Savior and Lord – as individuals or the church.
Help us get serious about spiritual revival rooted in Jesus’ unconditional, transformational and invitational love. Help us pray for it. Help us look for it. Help us celebrate it. And, most of all, help us be consumed by it.
Empower us to keep seeking Your way when we are tempted to shy away because spiritual revival has too many negative connotations for too many people, when we try to engineer it instead of receiving it as a gift from the Holy Spirit, and are lured into using it as a way of saving our churches instead of becoming Your church.
Come, Holy Spirit, come. Send the fire of spiritual revival. Bring us together as the living Body of Christ in a world that is so deeply broken. Grow us into a movement that welcomes all who long to be Christ-followers. Enable us to make disciples of Jesus Christ, who make disciples equipped to transform lives, communities and the world.
We pray this boldly in the name of Jesus, our Savior, Lord, Brother and Friend. Amen

Come, Holy Spirit. I yield my life to you in this moment that I might breathe in your saving love and exhale grace into the world. Today let my life be a testimony to the love that I have received through Christ, so revival might be sparked by my words and deeds. Lead me to the places and people You want to bless, I am ready to be your witness in the world. Come Holy Spirit, so I will be able to go in your name. Amen.

Gracious God, forgive me when I substitute church busyness for spending time with you and you alone.
Forgive me when it is my insecurities about achievement that drive me to do ministry instead of a genuine desire to serve you and your people. Forgive me when I seek the approval of others instead of allowing your perfect love to drive out all my fears of faithfully following you.
Through all the self-improvements of diet and exercise and time management which I have attempted multiple times, I realize that what I really need is not more self – I’ve got plenty of that – I need You. Please help me to ignore the distractions of life and competing with others so that I can enjoy your presence in my life and let that be more than enough for my life of faith in You.
Guide me to do what I need to do and be what I need to be in order to allow your Spirit to permeate my life. For the sake of Christ, I pray. Amen.